System and method for controlling dewpoint in a print zone within an inkjet printer

摘要

An aqueous inkjet printer includes a print zone with a relative humidity sensor and a temperature sensor. A controller identifies a dew point of air between a printhead and an intermediate imaging member with reference to the air temperature and the moisture in the air of the print zone, and identifies a target dew point with reference to the image data used to operate the printhead. The controller operates a heater and an air mover to adjust the dew point of the air between the printhead and the intermediate imaging member to the target dew point.

主权项

1. A printer comprising:
a printhead configured to eject ink drops; an intermediate imaging member that rotates proximate to the printhead to enable the printhead to eject ink drops on the intermediate imaging member to form an ink image on the intermediate imaging member, the intermediate imaging member being configured to maintain a temperature that is greater than a temperature of the printhead; an air mover configured to move air between the printhead and the intermediate imaging member; a relative humidity sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an amount of moisture in air, the relative humidity sensor being positioned to measure moisture in air between the intermediate imaging member and the printhead; a temperature sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a temperature, the temperature sensor being positioned to measure temperature in air between the intermediate imaging surface and the printhead; a heater positioned to heat air between the printhead and the intermediate imaging member; a print engine configured to render data for an image, the rendered data being used to operate the printhead to form the ink image on the intermediate imaging member; and a controller operatively connected to the heater, the temperature sensor, the relative humidity sensor, the air mover, and the print engine, the controller being configured to identify a dew point of air between the printhead and the intermediate imaging member with reference to the signal indicative of air temperature and the signal indicative of moisture in air, to identify a target dew point with reference to the rendered data, and to operate the heater and the air mover to adjust the dew point of air between the printhead and the intermediate imaging member to the target dew point.